To E.C.S. <br />to the memory of her sister <br /> <br />Dear sister! we were little girls <br />When we were standing by, <br />With eyes brim full of melting pearls, <br />To see our father die. <br /> <br /> <br />Round our wet cheeks the ringlets curled, <br />When last he kissed both of us; <br />And then we had not in the world <br />A parent left to love us. <br /> <br /> <br />But, from that memorable day, <br />Have we not loved each other? <br />And have we not loved thee?-O say, <br />Dear mother of our mother! <br /> <br /> <br />For, then it was thine arms were flung <br />Around the orphan girls, <br />And to thy bosom have we clung, <br />And thou hast combed our curls, <br /> <br /> <br />And thou hast laid us in our bed, <br />And knelt in prayer above us.- <br />Blessings be on thine aged head! <br />It showed how thou didst love us. <br /> <br /> <br />Sister, when thou wast made a wife <br />And I was left her only, <br />I thought I never, in my life, <br />Could feel again so lonely. <br /> <br /> <br />Yet soon I learned to look upon <br />Thy husband as my brother; <br />And, O how bright that morning shone, <br />When I saw thee a mother! <br /> <br /> <br />That was the last of all the suns <br />That will look bright to me; <br />The loved,-the lost,-the buried ones <br />Must now make room for thee! <br /> <br /> <br />One more look, ere thou goest to rest! <br />And let me see thee so,- <br />Thine infant lying on thy breast,- <br />A rose-bud on the snow. <br /> <br /> <br />It weeps,-my dear dead sister, now <br />Thou canst not hear its moan,- <br />One kiss upon this marble brow! <br />O now I am alone!<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lines-on-the-death-of-mrs-f-ii/
